How does a baby develop at 5 months

At this age your little one can surprise you with new “party tricks”. Their drive to discover, practise and learn is so strong that when they are not asleep, they are almost constantly on the move. They may already be able to sit up briefly, start commando crawling, and roll from tummy to back and back again. They watch, imitate, and sometimes they are so keen that even breastfeeding can turn into a bit of a tussle.

They are slowly getting ready for complementary feeding. After a few weeks of dribbling, the first lower incisors may appear, followed by the second tooth two to three weeks later. At the same time they begin to show interest in grown-ups’ food and, when they get a taste, may not reject it as before. This varies from child to child. Some babies are not ready for new foods and flavours yet, and they must not be rushed. Every child develops at their own pace, so exact timings cannot be predicted, but it helps to know the stages so you can spot a possible delay.

How does a baby see at 5 months 

They can recognise Mum’s face and track moving objects with their eyes and head. They love looking at their hands and watching their fingers move. Toys are explored not only with the eyes, but also by grasping and mouthing them, which builds hand-to-mouth coordination.

Putting things in the mouth is a natural way to explore the environment and is important for development. It gives detailed information about objects, and the sucking and gnawing strengthen the muscles around the mouth.

They notice more distant objects and, because they are very curious, do everything they can to reach them. Even just watching distant objects move through space helps vision develop. When you lay them on a mat, leave enough room so they can spot toys further away and, ideally, get to them.

Take care with tiny items. Lying on their tummy, a baby can spy the smallest fluff on the carpet and pick it up with delicate finger movements, then pop it into the mouth. Do not leave any small parts within reach.

Familiar and unfamiliar sounds 

Yes, they can already tell apart voices and sounds they hear often from those that are new, especially their parents’ speech, tone and intonation. When they hear Dad’s voice from afar, they react with joy and excitement. Everything interests them, and a new sound makes them turn towards it to see where it comes from. Even if they cannot see it, they begin to realise the thing still exists. This is object permanence developing.

Sounds and melodies affect them emotionally too. If Mum sings, they calm and listen, clearly content. There is more to it: they now recognise intonation, changes in tone and rhythm. From their parents’ voices they learn about feelings. This is why it helps if Mum talks to the baby throughout the day. They even recognise routines from the sounds alone. The crinkle of the baby wipes packet or the sound of water running into the little bath tells them what is coming next.

Physical contact matters in communication 

A baby now reacts intentionally to touch and stroking, reaching out and holding on, since the grasp, rooting, sucking and stepping reflexes have faded. They keep up contact with parents both verbally and non-verbally.
When cooing, they are exercising their speech organs. Their sounds become more varied, rhythmic and meaningful.

To keep the conversation going, always show interest and respond. A response can be a smile, a touch, a cuddle, or your own sounds and speech.

In time, cooing gives way to babbling. You will notice your baby is no longer producing single sounds but chains of sounds taken from the language they hear. These will later become words.

Is the baby bored 

From around 5 months there can be a phase when your baby seems frustrated or dissatisfied. They want to discover more but still cannot move from place to place. They can see and hear well, they have will and the urge to act, but cannot quite do it yet.

This state nudges them forward and they start to commando crawl, then crawl. If you want that motivation to work well, avoid constantly entertaining them. Notice whether they want to get busy or they want a cuddle. Keep offering physical contact as before, that remains important.

Has your baby rolled yet? That question pops up often from four months. The timing and the way it happens vary. Some roll tummy to back first, others back to tummy. Techniques differ too: knees drawn up and a side roll, feet planted then tipping to the side, or pushing off with the head. Rolling is a complex sequence that needs the head, shoulder girdle, trunk and limbs to work together. Babies often shift position while rolling, so they find themselves in a new spot again and again.

The primitive reflexes have disappeared. You will no longer see the grasp, rooting, sucking or stepping reflex. Lying on the back, they lift the head when you reach out, knowing they are about to be picked up. With legs lifted they may put their toes in the mouth. Muscles strengthen and gradually take more load.

As gradual uprighting progresses, eye and hand work better together and orientation improves. Reaching becomes more purposeful, and when letting go they open the fingers. They can pick up tiny fluff and crumbs and they usually put them straight in the mouth. They love everyday objects as well as toys. Kitchen bits are popular, and some parents make shakers with rice in a bottle or fill a box with interesting safe items to rummage through. These are often a big hit.

Free space is essential for healthy motor development 

Babies need room to move and several spots around the home where they can spend time. We often limit their area because we worry about safety. Their attention and curiosity drive motor development. Let them explore the home and you will see movement become more confident and quicker.
You can read more about motor development in our earlier article.

Your baby is ready for “face to face” communication 

When you engage them, they watch and read your gaze, respond to it, smile and begin to regulate mood. Naturally, we adults answer back. They turn to us more and more, at first in a controlled and deliberate way.

Our blog builds baby development month by month. If you would like a shorter overview, we recommend our summary article on baby development.

References:

NHS Inform Scotland – Your baby’s development from 2 to 12 months

NCT – Your baby’s development: a brit National Childbirth Trust